Stepping outside the park is no minor feat.

Mike Shinoda is best known as the rapper from Linkin Park. His rhymes and Chester Bennington’s vocals infused with the band’s rock and hip-hop sound has made them one of the most popular musical groups of the new millennium.

The Rising Tied Fort Minor (Warner Bros/Wea, 2005)

Using the name Fort Minor, Shinoda releases his first solo hip-hop album entitled The Rising Tied. He wrote, produced and mixed all the songs on the CD and played most of the instruments. He masterfully blends together powerful lyrics with an innovative sound to create one of the best CDs to come out in 2005.

The album opens with “Remember the Name.” Collaborating with underground hip-hop duo Styles of Beyond, Shinoda creates a mix of strong, sharp strings with hard, head-nodding beats. The song describes Shinoda’s talents as an artist: “I’ve seen him at work when that light goes on in his mind. It’s like a design is written in his mind every time before he even touches a key or speaks in a rhyme”

“Where’d You Go” features sweet, innocent vocals, sung by newcomer Holly Brook, accompanied by a simple, yet mesmerizing piano melody. “In Stereo” is the track to bump to in the car, featuring thumping beats, deep, hollow synth hits and a shrill slide whistle.

In “Get Me Gone,” a soft, filtered organ plays as Shinoda vents about studio executives who tried to change Linkin Park before the band released their first album. “Before the first song that you heard me on, there were people already tryin' to get me gone. Tellin' me to quit rapping [and] ‘Just play the keys.’”

“Kenji” is the most powerful song on the CD. He tells a story about a Japanese-American man who was forced into an internment camp during World War II, something Shinoda’s family had to endure. The guitar’s melody creates a haunting vibe, while sound bites from Shinoda’s father and aunt lend a touch of authenticity.

“The Hard Way” features a silky vocal refrain from Kenna that complements the sullen piano and echoing drums and Shinoda’s poignant lyrics.

Shinoda escapes the trap of simply reproducing his band’s sound as so many artists have done on their solo projects. Although it shares some similarities to Linkin Park’s albums, The Rising Tied possesses its own distinct sound, melding urban beats with a plethora of instruments that create euphoria for the ears.

Fort Minor's official website: http://www.fortminor.com/

Joe Nguyen is a staff writer for asiaXpress.com. You can reach Joe at joe@asiaxpress.com.